Earth moving machine bucket with pivotable sides

ABSTRACT

A bucket for use on an earth moving machine has a concave blade with an attacking edge at one transverse extremity. Two sides laterally border the blade forming an inner cavity of the bucket. The sides are both pivotally mounted on the blade at axes parallel with the attacking edge but at the opposite transverse extremity of the blade. Springs urge the sides to pivot towards positions in which they provide a bucket cavity of maximum volume. When the blade is forced into material to be excavated, the sides are swung back against the spring force without themselves penetrating the material, thereby reducing the effort required to operate the bucket. On lifting the bucket out of the material, the sides swing back trapping the excavated material. The springs may comprise torsion bars.

United States Patent Moreau Nov. 25, 1975 [75] Inventor: Rene V. Moreau, Ermenonville,

France [73] Assignee: Societe Anonyme: Poclain,

Belleville, France [22] Filed: July 5, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 485,967

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 17, 1973 France 73.26186 [52] US. Cl 37/118 A; 37/1175; 214/145 [51] Int. Cl. E02F 3/81 [58] Field of Search 37/118 R, 118 A, 117.5, 37/141 R; 214/145 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,816,676 12/1957 Avery et al. 37/1175 X 3,092,920 6/1963 Benno 37/l17.5

Primary Examiner-Clifford D. Crowder Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Brooks Haidt Haffner & Delahunty 57 1 ABSTRACT A bucket for use on an earth moving machine has a concave blade with an attacking edge at one transverse extremity. Two sides laterally border the blade forming an inner cavity of the bucket. The sides are both pivotally mounted on the blade at axes parallel with the attacking edge but at the opposite transverse extremity of the blade. Springs urge the sides to pivot towards positions in which they provide a bucket cavity of maximum volume. When the blade is forced into material to be excavated, the sides are swung back against the spring force without themselves penetrating the material, thereby reducing the effort required to operate the bucket. On lifting the bucket out of the material, the sides swing back trapping the excavated material. The springs may comprise torsion bars.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,921,316

Fig-2 U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet2of2 3,921,316

EARTH MOVING MACHINE BUCKET WITH PIVOTABLE SIDES This invention relates to buckets for earth moving machines.

Various types of bucket are known for earth moving machines which, whether by shoving or dragging are designed for picking up, or more generally speaking, handling, material during excavation or removal of excavated material.

The effectiveness of a bucket depends directly on the resistance which the material concerned presents to the penetration of the bucket. In order to improve this penetration the idea has been put forward, not only of adding teeth to the attacking or leading edge of the bucket, but also of indenting or serrating its sides so as to reduce the force of resistance exerted on their edges during the actual opening movement of the bucket.

This invention relates to the actual constitution of these sides and proposes a bucket which permits a considerable increase in the penetrative power of a machine.

According to this invention there is provided a bucket for use on an earth moving machine comprising at least one concave blade one of whose transverse extremities constitutes an attacking or leading edge of the bucket two sides laterally bordering the blade and forming therewith an inner cavity of the bucket, the sides being mounted so as to pivot in respect of the blade round an axis or spindle substantially parallel to the attacking or leading edge and located on the blade in the vicinity of its transverse extremity opposite to said attacking or leading edge, and return means connected between the blade, and said sides, or arranged for connection between a constructional component of the machine and said sides, the return means being arranged to urge the sides towards their positions with respect to the blade, providing a maximum volume for the interior cavity of the bucket.

Conveniently, each of the sides is formed by asubstantially triangular plate, mounted pivotally on the blade by its apex and having a base which is curvilinear with a radius of curvature substantially equal to the interior radius of curvature of a part of the blade near the attacking or leading edge, and wherein the sides are each provided with a stop adapted to co-operate with the rear portion of the blade to restrict their pivoting in relation to the blade.

The blade may be provided with lateral guiding members arranged for guiding each of the sides and preventing transverse movement with respect to the blade.

These guiding members may each be formed by a flange of the blade extending exteriorly of the sides along said part of the blade near the attacking or leading edge.

In one embodiment, the return means constitute the axes or spindles of pivotting of each of the sides and comprise two torsion bars one end of each of which is rigidly connected to one of the two sides while the other end is rigidly connected to the blade.

The invention will be better understood from the description of an embodiment given below, purely as an example, which will clarify the advantages and secondary features of the invention.

Reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a bucket in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the same bucket as represented in FIG. 1, with the sides of this latter in the retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a view in the direction f of the bucket of FIG. 1.

Referring first of all to FIG. 1, there can be seen a bucket for operation by shoving into the material conventionally articulated at the end of a bucket arm 1 on a spindle 2 and controlled in position relative to this arm by a connecting rod 3, a return lever 4 and a jack 5. This bucket consists of a concave blade 6 forming a shell whose transverse edge 7 forms the attack of leading edge and, in this case, is provided with teeth represented symbolically at 7a. It will be noted in this connection that both in the constitution of the shell and of the leading edge, many variants are known differing from the embodiment represented, which has been chosen for reasons of simplicity in the drawing.

The blade 6 is bordered laterally by two sides 8 and 9 which define with it, in their position represented in this Figure, the maximum volume of the interior cavity of the bucket. Each of these two sides is of substantially triangular form and is mounted pivoting by its apex on the blade 6 round an axis or spindle 10a or 10b which it carries in the vicinity of its transverse edge 11 and which extends parallel to the leading edge 7. The base 12 or 13 of each of these sides is curved with a radius of curvature substantially equal to that of the part 60 of the blade 6 nearest the leading edge 7. In fact, the radius of curvature of the base of each of these sides is slightly smaller than that of the part 6a of the blade in order to leave an operational clearance 14 between the side and the blade. FIG. 1 shows, furthermore, a stop block 15a fixed inside the side 8 constituting a stop which, in co-operation with the part 65 of the blade 6 or the bottom of the bucket, restricts the rotation of the side 8 round its axis or spindle 10a. An identical stop 15b is rigidly connected to the side 9 and fulfils the same function.

Finally, it will be noted that the blade 6 carries along its part 6a ,an edge or flange 16a extending exteriorly of the bucket and at right angles to the side 8. This flange constitutes a transverse stop for the said side and a guide member for its lateral pivoting round the axis 10a. It should be noted this connection that it is slightly extended slightly beyond the part 60 of the blade 6 opposite the leading edge 7. The explanation for this extension can be seen from FIG. 2. A like edge or flange is disposed exteriorly to the bucket on the side 9 side.

FIG. 2 shows most of the elements described in connection with FIG. 1 under the same references. The sides are then represented at 8a and 9a in the retracted position. By contrast with their position in FIG. 1, they have been rotated round their respective axes 10a and 10b in such a way that the stops 15a and 15b that they carry are in contact with the base 6b of the bucket. It can be seen in this Figure that the above mentioned extension of the flange 16a beyond the part 6a of the blade 6 is necessary to preserve its function of guiding the side 8 when this latter reaches its position 811.

Finally, FIG. Smakes clear certain details of construction of this embodiment of invention, in a view in the direction of f of FIG. 1. Again, most of the elements described inconnection with FIGS. 1 and 2 will be found here, bearing the same references.

It can be seen from this Figure that the axes of pivotting a and 10b of the sides of the blade 6 are constituted by torsion bars 17 and 18. These latter are rigidly connected to the sides 8 and 9 respectively by means of keys and 21 disposed at one of their ends, while their other end is rigidly connected by pins 22 and 23 to the blade itself. These torsion bars constitute the return means of each of the sides for returning them from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position in FIG. 1.

In operation the bucket is supposed to penetrate into a material under the co-ordinated action of the arm 1 and the jack 5. The material in question offers a resistance to this penetration which is symbolized by the arrows F on a level with the attack or leading edge 7 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and F on a level with the edges of the sides 8 and 9. In order to fill the bucket it is necessary therefore to overcome F and F Now, in the bucket according to the invention, only F has to be overcome because penetration is only effected by the teeth 7a of the attack or leading edge 7. The force F does not have to be overcome because under its action the sides 8 and 9 pivot round their respective axes 10a and 10b. The sides thus retract by sliding their bases 12 or 13 along the flanges 16a and 16b until located in the position shown in FIG. 2 abutted against the part 6b of the blade because of the presence of the stops 15a and 15b. The penetration of the blade 6, or more precisely of its part 6a, being effected, the bucket is made to rise so as to produce a tearing-away of the material situated above this part 6a. There is thus a weakening of the zone of material situated in particular laterally in respect of the blade 6.

Consequently the force F decreases in proportion as the bucket rises, and finally becomes less than the return force exerted on the sides 8 and 9 by the torsion bars 17 and 18. At this moment the sides guided by the flanges 16a and 16b return to their positions shown in FIG. 1 due to the return force of the torsion bars overcoming the force of resistance F The load of material is thus safely trapped in the bucket when this latter has completely emerged from the material to be excavated. The flanges 16a and 16b then prevent any transverse deflection of the sides under the action of the material contained in the bucket.

The bucket with retractable sides in accordance with the invention enables the power of a machine to be employed solely at the level of penetration of the attack or leading edge 7. As a result there is a speedier penetration of this bucket in the material to be cleared away and hence an increased efficiency of the machine thus equipped. Admittedly the force exerted in the tearing away of the material under which the blade 6 of the bucket has slid will be greater because there has not been any lateral cutting of the material by the sides, but the time saved in operation will advantageously compensate for the additional power necessary for the digging, which additional power is usually available from the machine.

This type of bucket designed for working in shoving mode obviously has an equivalent type for working in dragging mode. Furthermore there has only been described above one example of the means of returning the sides, by torsion bars. It is possible to conceive without going outside the scope or spirit of the invention, different return means, elastic ones for example consisting of spiral laminae coiled round the spindles 10a and 10b and connected between the blade 6 and the sides, or other means such as a jack either con- 4 nected between the blade and the sides by means of intermediate connecting components, or between the end of the jib member or rocking lever depending on the kind of equipment of the machine and the said sides. The invention is not restricted therefore to the embodiment which has just been described.

It finds a valuable application in the field of earth moving equipment.

We claim:

1. A bucket for use on an earth moving machine comprising at least one concave blade having an upwardly facing surface bounded by an attacking or leading edge, a pair of side edges and an upwardly extending portion spaced rearwardly from said leading edge and on the side of said surface opposite from said leading edge, a pair of spaced sides pivotally mounted with respect to said blade for pivotal movement around an axis substantially parallel to said leading edge, said axis being disposed upwardly from and in spaced relation to said surface, each of said sides having a leading edge, a trailing edge and a lower edge extending from its leading edge to said trailing edge, said sides, in a first predetermined position thereof, forming with said blade a material receiving cavity, one of said sides, in said first position, having its leading edge extending from adjacent said axis to adjacent said leading edge of said blade and having its lower edge adjacent one of said side edges of said blade and the other of said sides, in said first position, having its leading edge extending from adjacent said axis to adjacent said leading edge of said blade and having its lower edge adjacent the other of said side edges of said blade, said sides being pivotable about said axis into a second predetermined position in which said leading edge of said one side extends from adjacent said axis to adjacent a portion of said one side spaced rearwardly from said leading edge of said blade and said leading edge of said other side extends from adjacent said axis to adjacent a portion of said other side spaced rearwardly from said leading edge of said blade whereby a portion of said blade extends forwardly of said sides, and return means acting between said blade and said sides and urging said sides away from said second position and into said first position.

2. A bucket for use on an earth moving machine comprising at least one concave blade, a transverse extremity of which constitutes an attacking or leading edge of the bucket, two sides laterally bordering said blade and forming therewith an inner cavity of the bucket, said sides being pivotally mounted on said blade for pivotal movement around an axis substantially parallel to said leading edge and located on said blade adjacent the transverse extremity of said blade opposite to said leading edge, each of said sides being formed by a substantially triangular plate pivoted on said blade at the apex of said plate and having a base which is curvilinear with a radius of curvature substantially equal to the interior radius of curvature of a portion of said blade adjacent said leading edge, stop means on each of said sides and engageable with a rear portion of said blade for restricting pivoting of said sides with respect to said blade, and return means acting between said blade and said sides and urging said sides toward the positions thereof with respect to said blade which provide a maximum volume for said interior cavity of said bucket.

3. A bucket as claimed in claim 2, wherein the blade is provided with lateral guiding members arranged for guiding each of the sides and preventing transverse movement with respect to the blade.

4. A bucket as claimed in claim 3 wherein the guiding members are each formed by a flange on the blade extending exteriorly of the sides along said part of the blade near the attacking or leading edge.

5. A bucket for use on an earth moving machine comprising at least one concave blade, a transverse extremity of which constitutes an attacking or leading edge of the bucket, two sides laterally bordering said blade and forming therewith an inner cavity of the bucket, said sides being pivotally mounted with respect to said blade for pivotal movement around an axis substantially parallel to said leading edge and located on rigidly connected to said blade. 

1. A bucket for use on an earth moving machine comprising at least one concave blade having an upwardly facing surface bounded by an attacking or leading edge, a pair of side edges and an upwardly extending portion spaced rearwardly from said leading edge and on the side of said surface opposite from said leading edge, a pair of spaced sides pivotally mounted with respect to said blade for pivotal movement around an axis substantially parallel to said leading edge, said axis being disposed upwardly from and in spaced relation to said surface, each of said sides having a leading edge, a trailing edge and a lower edge extending from its leading edge to said trailing edge, said sides, in a first predetermined position thereof, forming with said blade a material receiving cavity, one of said sides, in said first position, having its leading edge extending from adjacent said axis to adjacent said leading edge of said blade and having its lower edge adjacent one of said side edges of said blade and the other of said sides, in said first position, having its leading edge extending from adjacent said axis to adjacent said leading edge of said blade and having its lower edge adjacent the other of said side edges of said blade, said sides being pivotable about said axis into a second predetermined position in which said leading edge of said one side extends from adjacent said axis to adjacent a portion of said one side spaced rearwardly from said leading edge of said blade and said leading edge of said other side extends from adjacent said axis to adjacent a portion of said other side spaced rearwardly from said leading edge of said blade whereby a portion of said blade extends forwardly of said sides, and return means acting between said blade and said sides and urging said sides away from said second position and into said first position.
 2. A bucket for use on an earth moving machine comprising at least one concave blade, a transverse extremity of which constitutes an attacking or leading edge of the bucket, two sides laterally bordering said blade and forming therewith an inner cavity of the bucket, said sides being pivotally mounted on said blade for pivotal movement around an axis substantially parallel to said leading edge and located on said blade adjacent the transverse extremity of said blade opposite to said leading edge, each of said sides being formed by a substantially triangular plate pivoted on said blade at the apex of said plate and having a base which is curvilinear with a radius of curvature substantially equal to the interior radius of curvature of a portion of said blade adjacent said leading edge, stop means on each of said sides and engageable with a rear portion of said blade for restricting pivoting of said sides with respect to said blade, and return means acting between said blade and said sides and urging said sides toward the positions thereof with respect to said blade which provide a maximum volume for said interior cavity of said bucket.
 3. A bucket as claimed in claim 2, wherein the blade is provided with lateral guiding members arranged for guiding each of the sides and preventing transverse movement with respect to the blade.
 4. A bucket as claimed in claim 3 wherein the guiding members are each formed by a flange on the blade extending exteriorly of the sides along said part of the blade near the attacking or leading edge.
 5. A bucket for use on an earth moving machine comprising at least one concave blade, a transverse extremity of which constitutes an attacking or leading edge of the bucket, two sides laterally bordering said blade and forming therewith an inner cavity of the bucket, said sides being pivotAlly mounted with respect to said blade for pivotal movement around an axis substantially parallel to said leading edge and located on said blade adjacent the transverse extremity of said blade opposite to said leading edge, and return means acting between said blade and said sides and urging said sides toward the positions thereof with respect to said blade which provide a maximum volume for said interior cavity of said bucket, said return means comprising a pair of torsion bars forming pivot means for said sides, one end of each of said bars being rigidly connected respectively to one of said sides and the other of said sides and the other end of each of said bars being rigidly connected to said blade. 